By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, June 30, Mana: National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) has committed to continue engaging contractors on project management as one way of addressing poor service delivery in the construction industry in the country.

Speaking on Saturday during a project management workshop in Salima, NCIC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Eng. Gerald Khonje expressed concern over increased reports on poor and substandard infrastructures in some parts of the country, highlighting that the engagement was crucial as it would enhance standards.

He said they are mandated to promote construction industry in the country by collaborating with different stakeholders such as universities and colleges to provide trainings tailored to address needs and shortfalls in the construction industry.

The CEO said targeting stakeholders in the construction industry was one way of ensuring quality control and that engaging them was one of the interventions employed to instill good practice with professionally designed topics such as contract management, quality control and project management.

"Coming up with a successful project in the infrastructure industry involves so many things, such as budgeting, procuring to actual project implementation, therefore if all these processes are not followed the end product is compromised," Khonje added.

He warned that NCIC would not hesitate to penalize any contractor for poor workmanship, misconduct and none compliance to construction regulations.

"We have a code of conduct that needs to be followed by all registered contractors and we expect adherence to it, that is why we frequently engage stakeholders to raise awareness of all emerging issues, so that we should be on the same page," Khonje viewed.

On a positive note, he said the country was making strides in ensuring quality infrastructures are being developed across all sectors in the country.

Chief Energy Officer in the Ministry of Energy, Austin Theu expressed satisfaction with the training delivered, saying it would help his Ministry to implement successful projects.

He said he would try to incorporate what he has learnt in planning for future projects in accordance to the set standards.